Packaging machine



1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,165,370

PACKAGING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed April 25. 1961 leg/e Ra4ah L Wily INVENTOR.

Roberf III Seams mma;

lllll .l|||l Ill-Ill- Illllll III! TORIVEY Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL PACKAGING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April 25. 1961 IN VEN TOR. Roberf m Saufis/ eg/e Ra/ph L. W/ny BY WQLM an o3 Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,165,870

PACKAGING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed April 25. 1961 llllll IF I IN VEN TOR. Pober/ WSaz/mS/eg/Q BY A a4oh L. W/ng Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 5 FIG.?

JNVENTOR Qoberf I44 Saums/ega/ ,Qa/ h A. W/ny MCQ'AM ATTORNiY Jan. 19, 1965 ,R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,165,870

PACKAGING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 25. 1961 IN VEN TOR. Roberf WSQU/US/g/Q BY Ralph A. l V/hg yM -m ATTORNEY Nmm wwn

mum 4f mmw R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,155,370

Jan. 19, 1965 PACKAGING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed April 25. 1961 IN V EN TOR Robe/'2 14/ SaumsEg/e Ra/ph 1. M Wcbdm A T TURN/E Y Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,155,870

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 W Queue ATTO/ZIVIZY Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1961 12 sheetssheet 9 FIG. I5

IN VEN TOR. Roberf W 5aums/g/e y Rajah L. M7

WMQQMM A r Tom/5y Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,165,870

PACKAGING MACHINE 12 Sheets-Sheet 10 Filed April 25, 1961 mm Q Edi I I .1Il l l 1 u lnu llu l nw mm JNVENTOQ Roberf W Saums/eg/e BY Pa/p/l 1.. Why

ATTOQNEY n- 1 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL 3,165,870

PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 25. 1961 12 Sheets-Sheet ll FIG. 20

FIG.I9

WaLuM 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 Jan. 19, 1965 R. w. SAUMSIEGLE ETAL PACKAGING MACHINE Filed April 25, 1961 United States Patent 3,165,870 PACKAGING MAC Robert W. Saurnsiegle, Lexington, and Ralph L. Wing,

Burlington, Mass, assignors to Pneumatic Scale Corporation, Limited, Quincy, Mass a corporation of Massachusem Filed Apr. 25, 1961, Ser. No. 105,458 21 Claims. (Cl. 53-489) This invention relates to a packaging machine.

The invention has for an object to provide a novel and improved packaging machine particularly adapted for opening successive fiat envelope type bags and inserting articles therein in a simple, rapid and efiicient manner.

With this general object in view and such others as may hereinafter appear, the invention consists in the packaging machine and in the various structures, arrangements and combinations of parts hereinafter described and particularly defined in the claims at the end of this specification.

In the drawings illustrating the preferred embodiment of the invention:

FIG. 1 is a side elevation partly in cross section of a packaging machine embodying the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the machine showing the upper portion thereof;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the machine with the upper portion removed and showing the driving mechanism;

FIG. 4 is an end view as seen from the right of FIG. 1 showing the intake end of the machine;

FIG. 5 is an end View as seen from the left of FIG. 1 showing the delivery end of the machine;

FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the article advancing mechanism and supporting tray to be referred to;

FIG. 7 is an end view of the same as seen from the line 77 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a side elevation partly in cross section of the bag opening and article inserting mechanism showing an article in position to be inserted into the open bag;

FIG. 9 is a detail view in side elevation of a modified form of the bag opening mechanism;

FIG. 10 is a plan view of the same;

FIG. 11 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the article fully seated in the bag;

FIG. 12 is a plan view detail of the bag;

FIG. 13 is a cross sectional view of the same taken on the line 1313 of FIG. 12;

FIG. 14 is a plan view of the bag opening and article inserting mechanism;

FIG. 15 is a front view of the article inserting mechanism as seen from the line 1515 of FIG. 11;

FIG. 16 is a detail view of a separable driving connection for the inserting member;

FIG. 17 is a view in side elevation of the inserter driving mechanism;

FIG. 18 is an end view of the same;

FIG. 19 is a detail of a portion of the driving mechanism shown in FIG. 17 in a different position of operation;

FIG. 20 is a detail-view of the elevating mechanism associated with the delivery conveyor; and

FIG. 21 is a side elevation of amodified arrangement of the article advancing mechanism.

In general the present invention contemplates a novel packaging machine particularly adapted for opening fiat envelope type bags, inserting articles therein and transferring successive filled bags onto a discharge conveyer for delivery to a subsequent machine, not shown, for trimming and sealing the mouths of the filled bags. The illustrated machine is adapted to insert articles of merchandise into fiat bags of relatively thin, transparent sheet plastic material, such as polyethylene sheet material, and

the articles of merchandise to be packaged may have con-' siderable thickness, the illustrated articles comprising a bakery product, such as a group of connected rolls, inserted as a unit into the bag.

In the illustrated embodiment of the invention a stack of fiat plastic bags is supported in a magazine, and provision is made for opening the mouth of the uppermost bag and expanding or inflating the bag by means of a stream of air which maintains the bag in its open condition while the article to be packaged is inserted therein. The mouth portion of the illustrated bag is provided with an extended flap along one wall, herein shown as the lower wall of the flat bag, leaving the upper edge of the mouth portion exposed to be lifted and expanded by the stream of air directed thereagainst, and provision is made for gripping and temporarily retaining in the magazine the extended portion of the lower wall of the mouth portion during the bag opening operation. In most instances a stream of air directed against the exposed edge of the mouth of the bag is suflicient to lift the upper wall of the flat bag to permit air to enter between opposed walls of the bag to inflate the same. However, in a modified form of the invention air operated means is provided for first mechanically separating the upper wall from the lower wall of the bag along a small portion of the mouth to permit air to enter between the walls to expand the bag. While the bag is thus held in its open position provision is made for rocking a pair of opposed mouth spreading and article guiding arms within the mouth of the bag to engage and hold the open end of the bag in its spread open condition to receive the article to be packaged. Successive articles to be packaged are moved into operative relation to an article inserting member movable longitudinally of the machine which is arranged to engage the article and advance the same between the spreader arms and into the bag. A longitudinally movable tray which also enters the bag is arranged to support the article therein, and in operation continued movement of the tray and the inserting member serves to pull the retained end of the bag out of the magazine, pull the mouth of the bag otf the mouth spreading and article guiding means and deliver the filled bag onto the discharge conveyer in one continuous operation. Thereafter, the spreader arms are contracted, and the supporting tray and inserting member are retractedto their initial positions in readiness for a succeeding cycle of operation.

Provision is also made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for moving successive articles into operative position to be engaged by the inserting member, an article being moved into such operative position during a portion of the preceding cycle. Control means is also provided for detecting the presence of an article in position to be engaged by the inserting member and for discontinuing operation of the machine at the end of a cycle of operation in the event that an article has failed to be advanced into position to be inserted during such cycle. Provision is also made for discontinuing operation of the machine when a stack of bags in the magazine is depleted,

and also for discontinuing operation of the machine in' the event that an article is delivered to the conveyer without a bag.

Referring now to the drawings, 10 represents a stack of flat plastic bags supported in a magazine which may include a vertically movable platform 12 detachably secured to a stack supporting and elevating unit indicated generally at 14. The bags are retained on the platform 12 by an inverted U-shaped retainer 16, the vertical legs of which extend through spaced openings 17 provided in an extended flap portion 18 of the bag. As shown in detail in FIGS. 12 and 13, each bag is provided with an upper wall or ply Eli and a lower Wall or ply 22, the flap 13 extending from the lower wall 22 as shown. The horizontal leg of the U-shaped retainer to bears against the top of the stack and the vertical legs extend loosely through the platform 12 and through a downwardly bent extension 24 thereof. The closed end of the bag is provided with a gusseted portion 26, and the outer end of the platform is downwardly inclined, as shown to cornpensate for the relatively thicker 4-ply gusseted ends of the bags. The stack supporting and elevating unit 14 is arranged to urge the stack upwardly, and a stationary hooked member 28 extended over the horizontal leg of the retainer 36 is arranged to maintain the top of the stack at a constant level'as successive uppermost bags are withdrawn from the stack.

The stack supporting and elevating unit 16 includes a head portion 3'1 provided with opposed inwardly bent retaining plates 52; forming a grooved track. The underside of the platform 12 is provided witn a pair of angle bars 34 arrange to be fitted into the grooved track to detachably secure the platform to the head portion for convenience in replacing a platform, from which bags are depleted, with a loaded platform. The head portion 36 is supported at the upper ends of a pair of spaced vertical rods 36,- only one of which is shown, and which are slidingly supported in spaced brackets secured to an upright bar 4%. The bar 4- is secured by bolts 41 to a portion of the machine frame. Provision is made for resiliently urging the slide rods 35 upwardly with a substantially constant tension and, as herein shown, the lower ends of the rods are connected by a tie bar 42 through which the end of a cord extended and secured. The cord id is guided around a pulley ,6 mounted on a stud secured to a plate exte -ed from the upright bar 46, and the cord then extends into a recoil unit indicated generally at 5% supported on a stud 52'.- carried by a bracket 54 extended from and secured to the upright bar 40. The recoil unit 5%; may comprise any of the conventional commercially available types of such units, which are spring loaded to apply tension to the cord whereby to move the stack upwardly as successive bags are withdrawn from the stack. It will be noted that the U-shaped retaining member 16 remains stationary against the hooked member 28 as the platform moves up, the latter sliding on the vertical legs thereof. Provision is also made for locking the head portion 36 in its lowered position for convenience when a loaded platform is to be detachably secured to the head portion. As herein shown, the read portion is provided with an opening 56 into which the rounded end of a spring pressed rod 58 may be fitted when the platform is in its lowered position. The rod 58 is mounted to slide in an opening provided in a bracket 60 secured to the upright bar 4% by bolts 62. The outer end of the rod 58; is provided with a handle 64, and in operation when the rod is pulled outwardly the elevating unit is released to urge the stack upwardly as described.

It will be observed that the bags are retained in the stack by their flap portions 18, leaving the upper edge or mouth portion of the upper wall 26 exposed, and provision is made for expanding the bag by means of a stream of air arranged to enter under the upper wall while the bag is retained in the stack by the retaining member 15. While the stream of air directed against the exposed edge of the upper wall is sufficient in most instances to lift the upper wall and to expand the bag, in a modified form of the invention provision is made for initially lifting the upper wall slightly to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall of the bag at the mouth thereof so as to provide an opening therebetween to admit air. As herein shown, see FIGS. 9 and 10, the mouth opening means may comprise a curved leaf spring 65 extended from a supporting plate 63 and having a coiled end portion '73 arranged to extend above the front edge of the upper wall. Co g with the leaf spring 65 is a flexible flapper '72 also secured to and ext nded from the supporting plate 68 and which extends above and in engagement with the upper surface of the leaf sprin The flapper O l! and the curved leaf spring 65 normally extend above the front edge of the upper wall, and in operation when a stream of air is directed under the supporting plate and under the flapper in a direction toward the mouth of the bag, the free end of the flapper is caused to vibrate and down causing the free end of the curved leaf spring 65 to be moved up and down into and out of en- 5 gement with the exposed edge of the mouth. The curved shape of the leaf spring 65 is such that the coiled end of the spring is also caused to move or extend itself a short distance longitudinally of the bag when it is pressed down against the exposed edge of the mouth so th t the frictional contact of the coiled end moved longito ally a short distance will break the contact between the upper and lower walls in an amount sufficient to permit air to enter the mouth of the bag to effect expansion thereof.

As illustrated in FlGS. 8 and 11, a stream of air is directed toward the mouth of the bag by a blower 74 whose delivery end is secured to an end wall 76 of an air chamber The end wall 76 is secured to the underside of the Supporting plate 68 which also serves as the upper wall of the chamber. The chamber is further defined by spaced side walls 36, and a valve plate 32 is pivotally mounted intermediate its ends on a pin 34 extended between and secured to tae spaced end walls. The valve plate 32 is arranged to be rocked on its pivot from a position in which the front of the chamber is open, and back thereof is closed as shown in FIG. 8, to a posi tion as shown in FIG. ll, wherein the back is open and the front closed. The valve plate 32 is rocked to the position s vn in 8 to open the front of the chamher by a roller E 6 carried by an arm 88 fast on a rocker and which cooperates with a cam piece 92 secured to the underside of the valve plate 82. At this time the forward end of the plate 32 rests against the hooked member 28, and the rearwardly extended portion of the plate engages the inner face of the end wall 76 as shown. In operation, when the roller arm 88 is rocked to an upright position, as shown in H6. 11, the valve plate will rock in a clockwise direction by gravity and by the force of the air to present the forward end of the plate 82 in engagement with front edge of the supporting plate 63 to cut off the air through the front of the chamber, and the rearwardly extended portion of the plate 82 will fall away from the end wall 76 to provide a passageway for escape of the air from the blower 7d. It will be understood that the blower is in continuous operation when the machine is running.

While the bag is held in its expanded or inflated con dition, as shown in FIG. 8, provision is made for rocking a pair of opposed mouth spreading and article guiding arms 94, 96 into the open mouth. During the bag opening operation the opposed spreader arms 5 4, 96 are in their contracted position, as shown in FIG. 2 and in broken lines in FIG. 14, and When so disposed'the front edge of the upper wall of the bag when expanded will be lifted above the forward ends of the contracted spreader arms so that the mouth of the bag surrounds said forward ends as shown in FIG. 8. Thereupon, the spreader arms are rocked outwardly to their full line positions shown in FIG. 14 to spread the mouth portion and to form a guide for the article to be inserted into the bag.

As herein illustrated, the opposed spreader arms 94, comprise elongated tapering guides substantially of inverted L-shaped cross section, the open ends of the arms facing each other so as to form a guide for the article to be inserted. The tapering arms are secured at their wider or flared ends to slotted arms 98 arranged substantially at right angles to the spreader arms, the slotted arms being adjustably secured by bolts 100 to the upper ends of pivot studs Hi2. The pivot studs 102 are supported for rotation in spaced brackets 164 secured shaft to the underside of the supporting plate 68. As shown in FIG. 15, the lower ends of the pivot studs 102 are provided with bevel gears 1 36 which mesh with bevel gears 1%, the latter being fast on the rocker shaft 9t).

Provision is made for rocking the shaft 99 to effect spreading of the arms 94-, 96 within the bag and to simultaneously rock the valve plate 82 to close the forward end of the air chamber. As herein shown, the shaft 9i is provided with a slotted arm 110 fast thereon which is connected by a link 112 to one arm of a bell crank 114 pivotally mounted on a shaft 116 supported in the machine frame. The second arm of the bell crank is provided with a roller 118 which cooperates with a cam 129 fast on a cam shaft 122. The cam shaft 122 is arranged to be rotated through driving means including an electric motor 124 connected by a belt 126 through a variable drive unit 128 to a speed reducing unit 13%). The output shaft of the speed reducing unit is provided with a bevel gear 132 which is in mesh with a bevel gear 134 fast on a continuously rotated drive shaft 13;: journaled in the machine frame.

Also mounted on the drive shaft 136 is a conventional magnetic clutch unit, indicated generally at 138, see FIG. 3, and which has associated therewith a spur gear 146 which is free on the shaft 136 when the clutch is deenergized and is caused to rotate with the shaft when the elutch is energized. The spur gear 149 is in mesh with a large gear 142 fast on the cam shaft 122, and another spur gear 144 also in mesh with the large gear 142 is mounted for rotation on a shaft 146 supported in the machine frame. The gear 144 is associated with a magnetic brake unit, indicated generally at 14%, arranged to hold the gear 144 stationary when the brake is energized. Both the magnetic clutch unit and the magnetic brake unit form part of an electrical control circuit wherein when the clutch is energized the brake unit is deenergized, and, conversely, when the clutch unit is deenergized the brake unit is energized.

' The control circuit includes means for detecting the presence of an article placed at the intake end of the machine in a position to be advanced during one cycle of operation into operative position to be inserted into a bag during the succeeding cycle of operation. As shown in FIG. 2, the detecting means may comprise a conventional photocell unit 15% disposed at one side of the intake end of the machine, and a cooperating light source unit 151 disposed at the opposite side thereof and arranged so that an article placed at the intake end of the machine will cut off the light source and actuate the photocell. In operation the clutch is energized and the brake is deenergized when an article is placed at the intake end of the machine in the path of the light source to initiate a cycle of operation of the cam shaft 122. The circuit further includes a crank operated, one-revolution limit switch 152, see FIG. 3, arranged to deenergize the magnetic clutch unit 133 and energize the magnetic brake unit 148 to bring the cam shaft 122 to rest at the end of one revolution unless a succeeding article is placed at the intake end of the machine in the path of the light source. Thus, in operation the machine will operate continuously through successive cycles as long as successive articles are placed at the intake end of the machine in a position to be detected by the photocell unit.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 4, the intake end of the machine includes a supporting table or platen 154 and a pair of opposed, laterally adjustable hollow guide members 156, 158 mounted thereon providing a path through which the articles are guided into the machine. As shown in FIG. 2, an article 160, herein shown as comprising a group of bakery rolls, is disposed in position A in front of a longitudinally movable inserting member, indicated generally at 162, ready to be advanced from position A and inserted into the open bag when a cycle of operation is initiated. Now, when a succeeding article, shown in position B, is placed in the intake path to intercept the light source of the detecting means and initiate a cycle of operation, the inserting member is moved longitudinally to engage and insert article A into the open bag, and during the same cycle provision is made for advancing the article in position B to position A to be inserted into a bag during a succeeding cycle of operation.

The means for advancing the article from position B to position A includes a pivotally mounted and longitudinally movable pusher member indicated generally at 164 in F165. 1 and 4. The pusher member is provided with a plurality of spaced fingers 166 arranged to be extended up through longitudinally extended slots 163 formed in the platenu154 to engage the rear of the article in position B and to move longitudinally in the slots to advance the article to position A. As shown in detail in FIGS. 6 and 7, the fingers 166 are secured at their lower ends in a transverse bar 170 attachedto a tie bar 171 extended between spaced arms 172 fast on a rocker shaft 174. The rocker shaft 174 is journaled in a laterally extended portion of a bracket 176 carried by a longitudinally reciprocal unit, indicated generally at 178, which is mounted to slide on longitudinally extended upper and lower rods 130 supported at their ends in spaced upright members 181, 183 attached to the machine frame, see FIG. 1. One end of the rocker shaft 174 is provided with an arm 187 fast thereon which carries a roller 132 for cooperation with a stationary cam 15 secured to anelongated plate 189 supported from the machine frame. In operation when the reciprocable unit 178 is in its retracted position, as shown in FIG. 1, the pivotally mounted pusher member 164 is in its downwardly rocked position with the cam roller 132 resting on a lower guide rail 136 and immediately in front of a pivotally mounted curved end piece 1&5 of the stationary cam 184; 'When the reciprocable unit is moved forwardly the roller rides up over the end piece 185 onto the upper surface of the cam 184 to rock the pusher fingers up through the slots to the position shown in FIG. 6. When the reciprocable unit 176 reaches the end of its forward stroke the cam roller 182 rides off the forward end of the upper surface of the earn 184 and falls by gravity onto the lower guide rail 136 to cause the pusher unit to be rocked downwardly preparatory to being returned to its initial position. Dur-t ing the return stroke the cam roller 182 follows the hide rail 136, and when it approaches its fully retracted 7 plate 189 may engage a pin 193 extended from the cam piece to assist in rocking the same downwardly.

As herein illustrated, see FIG. 1, the reciprocable unit 178 is arranged to be driven through connections from a closed cam 1% fast on the cam shaft 122'. A cam lever 192, pivotally mounted at 194 in the machine frame, carries a roller 1% for cooperation with the cam,

and the outer end of the cam lever is connected by a 1 link 198 to a lever 200 pivotally mounted at 202. The lever 2% is connected by a link 2134 to a carriage 206 forming part of a motion multiplying mechanism, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. The carriage is provided with a gear 208 supported for rotation therein and which is in mesh at its lower edge with a stationary rack 210' The upper edge of the gear 208 is in mesh with a second rack 212 which is secured to the machine frame.

secured by bolts 214 to the reciprocable slide unit 178. As shown in Fl'G. 7, the slide unit 178 includes'upper and lower slide blocks 216 which slide on the rods 189 and which are connected by an upright plate 218 to which eneaevo J the pusher member bracket 176 is connected by bolts 220. The carriage 2% is guided for longitudinal movement and, as herein shown the carriage is provided with spaced lower rollers 222 which ride on tracks 22% secured to opposite sides of the stationary lower rack 210, The carriage is also provided with spaced upper rollers 226 which ride on tracks 228 secured to opposed sides of the upper rack 212. With this construction it will be seen that when the carriage 2th; is moved forwardly through a predetermined distance with the gear 2% rolling on the stationary rack 219, the upper rack 212 will be moved forward a relatively greater distance than the carriage so as to effect a relatively long travel of the pusher member 164. Also mounted on the laterally extended portion of the bracket 176 of the reciprocable unit 178 is an elongated tray 23 3 which extends below and beyond the forward end of the platen 154 to provide a movable support for the article during the inserting operation and during transfer of the article and the bag onto the discharge conveyor indicated generally at 232.

From the description thus far it will be seen that dur ing the initial portion of a cycle of operation article to be packaged is moved from position B to position A and, simultaneously therewith, the article which was in position A is moved forward by the inserting member 162 to insert the article in the open bag so that the intake path is clear to permit movement of a succeeding article into the position previously occupied by the article in position A. During the inserting movement the article will be pushed off the forward end of the platen donto the moving tray 239, the latter being extended into the open bag to support the article as it is pushed between the opposed guide members 94-, 96 and into the bag by the inserting member 162. In operation the inserting member 162 is moved forward in a continuous movement from the full line position shown in FIG. 1 to the furthermost broken line position indicated at 234 to transfer the filled bag onto the conveyer 232, the tray 239 also being moved along with but independently of the inserting member to support the article and the bag as it ismoved across the void between the inserting station and the conveyer. In practice, when the for- Ward end of the article is fully seated in the bag during the continuous movement of the inserting member with the forward end of the tray inserted within the bag, the flap end 18 of the bag held in the stack by the retaining member 16 is forcibly withdrawn therefrom by such movement of the inserting member. In operation the flap portion 18 is withdrawn from under the horizontal leg'of the retaining member and off the vertical legs thereof. As illustrated in detail in FIG. 12, in order to facilitate withdrawal of the flap 18 from the vertical legs of the retaining member, the openings in the flaps are provided with slits 19 extending from the openings to the edge of the flap.

Referring again to FIG. 1, it will be seen that at the end of the forward stroke of the inserting member 162, as indicated at 234 in FIG. 1, the filled bag is deposited on the conveyer 232 with the end of the bag in engage ment with an adjustable stop rail 235 supported from one side of the conveyer. Thereafter, during the retracting stroke, the inserting member is withdrawn from the bag and is then rotated in a clockwise direction as indicated at the broken line position 236. During the continued return movement of the inserting member it continues its clockwise rotation so that when it is returned to its initial position the inserting member will assume its downwardly rotated position in back of the article deposited at position A in readiness for a succeeding inserting operation.

As herein shown, the inserting member, indicated generally at 162, comprises a bent plate having a vertical pusher leg 233 and a rearwardly extended angular leg 259, the ends of both legs being connected to a semicircularly curved rod 249. The upper end of the rod is connected to a collar 242 which is detachably secured to a reduced diameter threaded end of a shaft 244 by a hand nut 246. The shaft 244 is journaled in a bearing 248 secured to a longitudinally reciprocable bracket 250. Provision is made for reciprocating the bracket 259 through cam operated motion operated multiplying mechanism indicated generally at 252 and for controlling the position of the inserting member 162 during reciprocation of the bracket 25!) through driving mechanism indicated generally at 254 in a manner such as to maintain the inserting member in a downwardly rotated or inserting position during the forward stroke thereof and to effect withdrawal and clockwise rotation of the inserting member to its initial position during the retracting stroke thereof.

As illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the bracket 259 is supported for longitudinal reciprocation on a stationary grooved rail 25:: in which upper and lower rollers 258 are arranged to ride. The grooved rail is supported between and secured to. upright end plates 26% attached to the machine frame. The bracket 25%; is further supported for reciprocal movement on an elongated rod 262 also supported between the end plates 269 and which extends through a slide bearing 264 to which the lower end of the bracket 2% is secured. The slide bearing 264 is secured by bolts 265 to the upper face of an elongated upper rack 266 which forms a part of the motion multiplying mechanism 252. The rack 266 is in mesh with a gear 26% mounted for rotation in a carriage 270 and which is also in mesh with a lower stationary rack 272 attached to the machine frame. The carriage is also provided with upper and lower rollers 2'74 arranged to ride on elongated rails 275 secured to the upper and lower racks 266, 272. The carriage is connected by a relatively short link 276 to the upper end of a lever 2'78 pivotally mounted at 2859 in the machine frame as shown in FIG. 1. The lever 278 is connected by a link 282 to a crank arm 2%. fast on the cam shaft 122. In operation, when the cam shaft 122 is rotated through one revolution, the carriage will be reciprocated as the gear 268 rolls along in mesh with the lower rack 272, and the upper rack 266, also in mesh with the gear 268, will be reciprocated through a relatively greater distance than the carriage 270 to provide a relatively long movement of the bracket 25% and the inserting member 162 carried thereov. is arranged to engage and close the switch 152 to bring the cam shaft to rest at the end of one revolution unless a succeeding article is in operative position at the intake end of the machine to be detected by the photocell 156 as above described.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 18, the shaft 244 to which the inserting member is secured is provided with a sprocket 236 connected by a chain 288 to a sprocket 2% loosely mounted on a shaft 2%2 journaled in the bracket 25%. A chain tightener sprocket 221 carried by a ,pivotally mounted arm 293 is urged in tightening engagement with the chain by a spring 295. The shaft 292 isalso provided with a gear 2% fast thereon which is in mesh with a vertical rack 2% movable in guides 293 secured to the bracket 25 9. The lower end of the rack 29% is provided with a cam roll 3th; arran ed to cooperate with a stationary cam track 392 to effect vertical reciprocation of the rack when the bracket 250 is reciprocated longitudinally. The cam track 3%2 is formed in an elongated plate 364 secured at its ends to the upright end plates 26%.

The driving mechanism 254 for controlling the position of the inserting member 1W2 includes mechanism for holding the loose sprocket 290 stationary on the shaft 292 during the forward or inserting stroke, at which time the rack 2% is being moved upwardly to effect counterclockwise rotation of the shaft 222, and during the retracting stroke the rack is being moved downwardly to cause the sprocket to be rotated in a clockwise direction to return the inserting member to its initial position.

As shown in FIG. 3, the end of the crank arm 284 As herein shown, the loosely mounted sprocket 2% is provided with a one-tooth ratchet 386 formed integrally therewith, and the gear 2%, fast on the shaft 292 is provided with a pawl disk 368 which carries a spring pressed pawl 316. During rotation of the gear and the pawl in a counterclockwise direction the pawl will slide on the ratchet, and during rotation of the gear and the pawl in a clockwise direction the pawl will engage in the tooth of the ratchet to efiect rotation thereof. In order to maintain the inserting member 162 in its downwardly rotated inserting position during the forward stroke, counterclockwise rotation thereof is prevented by the extended end of a pin 312 carried by the sprocket and which is arranged to engage the curved end of a retaining arm 314 pivotally mounted at 316. A second arm 318 of the retaining member is connected by a spring 319 to a stud 32?) secured to a tie bar 322 carried by the bracket 259. The arm 318 is also provided with an adjustable stop screw 324 arranged to engage the bar 322 to limit the movement of the retaining arm 314. In operation, when the shaft 292 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction, the pin 312 will engage the curved end of the arm 314 to prevent rotation of the loosely mounted sprocket 239 in a counterclockwise direction whereby to maintain the inserting member 162 in its operative inserting position during the forward stroke as shown in FIG. 17. Since the inserting member is under load during the forward stroke there is no tendency for the same to rotate in a clockwise direction during this time. Also, during the forward stroke the cam roll 39% is traveling upwardly in its track 3'32, and when the inserting member starts its retracting movement the roll 36% will ride along a horizontal portion 303 of the track until the inserting member is withdrawn from the open end of the bag whereupon the roll 3% starts its downward movement in the track to effect clockwise rotation of the gear 294. The spring pressed pawl 31% will now engage the tooth of the ratchet 306 to effect clockwise rotation of the inserting member 162, the pin 312 being rotated away from the arm 314 at this time. During the retracting stroke the inserting member continues its clockwise rotation, and as it approaches the end of the stroke the pin 312'will engage the lower edge of the spring urged retaining arm 314, as shown in FIG. 19, in order to counteract the flywheel effect of the inserting member. During continued positive rotation of the sprocket 298 in a clockwise direction the pin 312 will lift the arm 314 and pass beyond the curved end thereof whereupon the spring urged arm 314 will return to its downwardly rocked retaining position. At this time the vertical rack 2% has reached the end of its downward stroke, and a right angle stop member 326 secured to the upper end of the rack is moved into the path of the opposite extended end of the pin 312 carried by the sprocket 230 whereby to provide a positive stop to lock the inserting member in its downwardly rocked vertical position at the end of the retracting stroke as shown in FIG. 17. in order to prevent damage to the parts in the event that an undue strain is inadvertently placed on the inserting member 162, provision is made for separably connecting or releasably securing the sprocket 286 to the inserter shaft 244. As shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the sprocket 286 may be loose on the shaft, and the outer end of the shaft is provided with a flange member 4% fast thereon. The flange member is provided with a V-notch 402 in its periphery for cooperation with a V- shaped lug 484 carried by a ring 4%; The ring is pivotally mounted at 468 to a disk 410 secured to the sprocket 285. A coil spring 412 connected at one end to the disk 410 and at its other end to the ring 466 serves to retain the lug 464 in driving engagement with the notch 462. In operation, in the event that the inserting member is subjected to an undue strain, such as to effect rotation of the shaft 244 relative to the sprocket 286, the lug 4434 will ride out of the notch 4-92, and the ring 4-96 will be rocked on its pivot to the dotted line position shown in FIG. 16 to release the connection. A bolt 41d extended loosely 16 through a slot 416 in the ring 406 and secured to the disk 41% is provided to limit rocking movement of the ring.

From the description thus far it will be seen that during the continuous forward stroke the inserting member 162 inserts the article into the bag and transfers the filled bag to the conveyer indicated generally at 232. As herein shown, the conveyer 232 is arranged at right angles to the direction of movement of the inserting member 162 and includes a plurality of spaced endless belts 328 arranged to run ever end pulleys 33%, 332 journaled in side plates 33 i, 336 supported from the machine frame and connected by transverse tie bars 338. The belts 328 are maintained in their spaced relation by collars 333 secured to the end pulley 332. Each belt passes around a drive pulley 34% mounted for rotation on a shaft 342 carried between depending plates 344- secured at their upper ends to the side plates 33%, 336. Vertically adjustable and flanged belt tightener pulleys 337 are also arranged to engage the individual belts, as shown in FIG. 5, to urge the belts into driving engagement with the drive pulley 34-0 and to maintain spaced alignment of the belts. A cover plate 341, over which the belts run, may extend between the upper edges of the spaced side plates 334, 335.

The belts 328 are arranged to be continuously driven and, as herein shown, a sprocket 346 secured to one end of the pulley 346 is connected by a chain 348 to a sprocket 35% fast on one end of an elongated drive shaft 352 journaled in bearings 354 depending from the machine frame as shown in FIG. 1. The other end of the shaft 352 is provided with a spur gear 356 which meshes with a similar gear 358 fast on the opposite end of the output shaft of the speed reducing unit 13%).

Since the conveyor belts 328 are continuously driven provision is made for supporting the filled bag above the conveyer belts at the time the bag is delivered to the conveyer, and thereafter when the inserting member is withdrawn provision is made for lowering the delivered bag onto the moving belts to be discharged from the machine. As herein shown, the bag supporting mechanism includes a plurality of elongated rollers 360 which are supported to be extended upwardly between the spaced belts 323 and through slots provided in the cover plate 341. The rollers 36th are supported for rotation on pins 362 carried by upwardly extended portions 364 of spaced brack ets 366 connected together by tie rods 368 as shown in FIGS. 11 and 20. The brackets 366 are connected to the upper ends of parallel links 376 which are fast on spaced shafts 372 mounted to rock in the side plates 33 i, 335. The parallel linkage is arranged to be rocked through cam operated connections and, as herein shown,

one of the parallel links 370 is provided with an extension 374 connected by a link 3'76 to an arm 378 mounted to rock the shaft 116. A second arm 380 formed integrally with the arm 378 carries a cam roller 382 arranged to cooperate with a cam 384 fast on the cam shaft 122. In operation the supporting rollers 360 are disposed in their elevated position above the belts to receive the filled bag transferred thereto, and after the inserting member is withdrawn the supporting rollers are rocked downwardly below the belts to permit the filled bag to rest on the continuously moving belts to discharge the bag from the machine. The filled bag, which is considerably longer than the article contained therein, is subsequently delivered to a trimming and sealing machine, which forms no part of the present invention, and wherein the extended mouth portion of the bag is trimmed and heat sealed to complete the packaging operation.

Provision is made in the illustrated embodiment of the invention for discontinuing operation of the machine when the stack of bags is depleted from the magazine.

As shown in FIG. 8, a contact member 386 carried by a :bar 388 attached to the underside of the air chamber side plates 80, and extended to one side of the stack, is arranged in the path of a portion of the elevating platform 12. In operation, as successive bags are withdrawn l. l from the stack and the platform 12 is elevated, the platform will eventually engage the contact member 336. The contact member may form part of a circuit to operat a conventional relay provided in the motor circuit to discontinue operation of the machine.

Provision is also made for detecting the presence of a bag about the article during transfer to the conveyer 232. During normal operation the supporting tray 230 extends into the open bag and moves along with the bag until it reaches a point immediately adjacent the side of the conveyer 232. At this time the end of the supporting tray will strike a contact 3% supported from the side of the conveyer in the path of the tray. The presence of a non-conducting plastic bag covering the end of a tray serves to insulate the tray from the contact. However, in the event that a bag fails to be opened and is not in position to receive a bag the article will be transferred onto the conveyer without a bag. At such time engagement of the bare end of the tray 239 with the contact 3% will likewise operate a conventional relay provided in the motor circuit to discontinue operation of the machine.

From the above description it will be seen that in the operation of the illustrated packaging machine, when an article is placed at the intake end of the machine in the path of the photocell detector, a cycle of operation is initiated to start the inserting member 162 on its forward stroke to insert an article into an open bag and to start the pusher member 164 to move the newly placed article into position to be inserted into a succeeding bag. It will be understood that the front of the air chamber has been previously opened at the time when the spreader arms 94-, 96 were rocked inwardly during the retracting stroke of the inserting member so that an open bag is already in position to receive the article being advanced. Prior to arrival of the article at the inserting station the spreader arms d4, 96 are rocked outwardly into the open mouth of the bag to spread the mouth and to form a guide for the articles. The supporting tray 23%, which is moved forward into the open bag, supports the article at this time, and during continuous movement of the inserting member 162 and the tray 239 the article is fully seated in the bag, and the filled bag is fully withdrawn from the stack and from the spreader arms to be transferred onto the supporting rolls 36% disposed above the conveyer belts 328. Thereafter, the tray and pusher are retracted; the inserting member is retracted; the spreader arms are rocked inwardly; and the supporting rollers are lowered below the conveyer belts to deposit an article on the moving belts to be carried away from the machine.

In the embodiment of the invention above described the article advancing mechanism 164 and the article supporting tray 239 are carried by the same bracket 176 and operate simultaneously, through the motion multiplying mechanism 2% as shown in FIG. 6. In a modified embodiment of the invention, as illustrated in FIG. 21, the article supporting tray may be operated by the mechanism 2&6, as before, but the article advancing mechanism is arranged to be operated independently of the motion multiplying mechanism. As herein shown, the article advancing member, indicated at 420 in FIG. 21, comprises a plurality of spaced pusher fingers 422 carried by a transverse shaft 424 supported at the forward end of a longitudinally repicrocable carriage 428. The carriage is provided with rollers 43th arranged to ride in tracks formed in side guide rails 432. One end of the shaft 424 is provided with an arm 434 fast thereon and which is provided with a roll 436 for cooperation with a stationary cam rail 4-38. The arm 434 is also connected by a link 440 to the upper end of a two-armed lever 442 pivotally mounted at 444 in a bracket 446 secured to and depending from the carriage 428. The second arm of the lever 442 is connected by a link 448 to the cam operated arm 209. The depending bracket 446 is also provided with opposed set screws 450, 452 arranged to cooperate with the lever 442. In operation, when the carriage 428 is in its retracted position as illustrated, the lever 442 is rocked to the left against the stop screw 45%), and the pusher fingers 422 are in their downwardly rocked or inoperative position. Now, when the cam operated arm 2% is rocked to the left to start the forward stroke, the lever 442 is first rocked to the right against the set screw 452 which rocks the pusher fingers 422, upwardly, as shown in broken lines, and upon continued movement of the cam operated arm 2% the carriage and the pusher fingers mounted thereon are advanced to move the article into operative position to be engaged by the inserting member during a succeeding cycle of operation. It will be observed that the roll 43.: will ride along the cam rail 433 during the for ward stroke to maintain the fingers in their upwardly rocked position, and when the roll leaves the forward end of the cam rail at the end of the forward stroke the linkage is free to be reversed at the beginning of the retracting stroke to present the lever 442 against the set screw 450 to rock the pusher fingers downwardly. Upon continued retracting movement, the carriage and the pusher fingers will be returned to their initial position, engagement of the roll 435 with the rail 438 maintaining the fingers in their downwardly rocked position until the roll leaves the rear portion of the rail where the linkage is free to be again rocked during the beginning of the forward stroke as described.

While the preferred embodiment of the invention has been herein illustrated and described, it will be understood that the invention may be embodied in other forms within the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed is:

1. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended flap portions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of said upper wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge, and vibratory means operated by said air stream and frictionally engageable with said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit the air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged.

2. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended flap portions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of said upper wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge, and air operated means frictionally engageable with said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit the air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, said air operated means including a curved leaf spring supported above and engageable with said exposed edge, and a flexible flapper vibrated by said air stream and arranged to press and extend said curved leaf spring against said exposed edge.

3. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended flap portions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of said upper wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit the air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, said air directing means including an air chamber, and a pivotally mounted Valve plate supported therein arranged to be opened to eflect expansion or" the bag and to be closed during insertion of an article into the open bag, cam operated means for opening said valve, said valve plate having an exhaust portion arranged to be opened by said air stream and to effect closing of the valve.

4. In a package machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, means for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended flap portion for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of the opposing wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, pivotally mounted opposed mouth spreading and article guiding means arranged to be rocked into the mouth of the opened bag, a longitudinally reciprocable inserting member arranged to insert an article between said guide means and into the bag, continued movement of the inserting member effecting withdrawal of the bag from said guiding means and said retaining means, an independently operated longitudinally reciprocable tray also extended into the bag and arranged to support the article as it is inserted into the bag and during withdrawal of the bag, and reciprocable means for advancing a new article into operative position during one cycle of operation to be engaged by said inserting member during a succeeding cycle of operation, said reciprocable inserting member being movable in one plane during its forward stroke to perform the inserting and withdrawing operation, and movable in another plane parallel to and above said first plane during the retracting stroke, said inserting member being mounted to rotate from said one plane to another plane at each end of its reciprocating stroke.

5. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, means for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended flap portions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of the opposing wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, pivotally mounted opposed mouth spreading and article guiding means arranged to be rocked into the mouth of the opened bag, a longitudinally reciprocable inserting member arranged to insert an article between said guide means and into the bag, continued movement of the inserting member eifecting withdrawal of the bag from said guiding means and said retaining means, an independently operated longitudinally reciprocable tray also extended into the bag and arranged to support the article as it is inserted into the bag and during withdrawal of the bag, reciprocable means for advancing a new article into operative position during one cycle of operation to be engaged by said inserting member during a succeeding cycle of operation, and a conveyer for receiving a filled bag delivered thereto during the continued movement of said inserting member, said reciprocable inserting member being movable in one plane during its forward stroke to perform the inserting and withdrawing operation, and movable in another plane parallel to and above said first plane during the retracting stroke, said inserting member being mounted to rotate from said one plane to another plane at each end of its reciprocating stroke.

6. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means coo erating with said extended flap poitions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of the opposing wall tree and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, pivotally mounted opposed mouth spreading and article guiding means arranged to be rocked into the mouth of the opened bag, means .for rocking said spreading and guiding means into and out of mouth spreading engagement with the bag, said air directing means including an air chamber having a valve plate, and means operated simultaneously with said rocking means for controlling said valve plate to open the chamber and eiiect expansion of a bag when the spreading and guiding means are rocked out of mouth spreading engagement with the bag, and for closing the chamber when the spreading and guiding means are rocked into mouth spreading engagement with the bag, said air chamber being provided with an air delivery end and an air diverting end, and said valve plate is arranged to cooperate with both ends of the chamber to maintain one end open when the other end is closed.

7. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, means for supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended fiap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended flap portions :for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of the opposing wall tree and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, pivotally mounted opposed mouth spreading and article guiding means arranged to be rocked into the mouth of the opened bag, a longitudinally reciprocable inserting member arranged to insert an article between said guide means and into the bag, continued movement of the inserting member eifecting withdrawal of the bag from said guiding means and said retaining means, a longitudinally reciprocable tray also extended into the bag and arranged to support the article as it is inserted into the bag and during withdrawal of the bag, means for advancing a new article into operative position during one cycle of operation to be engaged by said inserting member during a succeeding cycle of operation, a conveyer for receiving a filled bag delivered thereto during the continued movement of said inserting member, means for reciprocating said inserting member, said inserting member being also mounted for rotation, and drive means for controlling the rotation of the inserting member during the reciprocation thereof arranged to maintain the inserting member in a lowered position during the inserting stroke, and to effect rotation to an upward position during the retracting stroke to avoid a newly advanced article, the inserting member again a suming its lowered position in operative position to engage the advanced article at the end of its retracting stroke.

8. A packaging machine as defined in claim 7 wherein the drive means includes a separable drive connection associated with the rotary mounting of the inserting member adapted to be disengaged when the inserting member is subjected to undue strain.

9. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, means for directing a stream of air against the mouth portion of the bag, and vibratory means operated by said air stream and frictionally engageable with the mouth portion of the upper wall of the bag to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag.

10. In a packaging machine, in combination, means to for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, means for directing a stream of air against the mouth portion of the bag, air operated means frictionally engageable with the mouth portion of the upper wall of the bag to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag, said air operated means comprising a curved leaf spring supported above and engageable with said exposed edge, and a flexible flapper vibrated by said air stream and arranged to press and extend said curved leaf spring against the mouth portion of said upper wall.

11. In a packaging machine, in combination, an elevating platform for replaceably supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each bag having an extended flap portion from one wall leaving the opposing wall free and exposed, said stack being initially provided with an inverted U-shaped retaining member having its vertical legs extended through openings in said flap portions and its horizontal connecting leg bearing against the top of the stack, the extended ends of said vertical legs being detachably received in openings in said platform, elevating means for urging the platform upwardly, a stop member engageable with said horizontal leg to maintain the top of the stack in operative position for withdrawal of successive uppermost tbags, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to effect separation of the walls and to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, and means for inserting an article into and beyond its fully seated position in the bag to efl'ect withdrawal of the bag and tearing of said flap portion from said retaining means, said platform being depressible to receive the stack and its retaining member and upon elevation to present the horizontal leg into engagement with said stop member.

12. In a packaging machine, in combination, an elevating platform for replaceably supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each bag having an extended flap portion from one wall leaving the opposing wall free and exposed, said stack being initially provided with an inverted U-shaped retaining member having its vertical legs extended through openings in said fiap portions and its horizontal connecting leg bearing against the top of the stack, the extended ends of said vertical le s being detachably received in openings in said platform, elevating means for urging the platform upwardly, a stop member engageable with said horizontal leg to maintain the top of the stack in operative position for withdrawal of successive uppermost bags, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to effect separation of the walls and to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, and means for inser*- ing an article into and beyond its fully seated position in the bag to effect withdrawal of the bag and tearing of said flap portion from said retaining means, said platform being depressible to receive the stack and its retaining member and upon elevation to present the horizontal leg into engagement with said stop member, said platform being bent downwardly and forwardly at its retainer receiving end providing a portion spaced from the top of the platform and through which the extended ends of said vertical legs also extend to support the retaining member in a vertical position.

13. In a packaging machine, in combination, an elevating platform for replaceably supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each bag having an extended flap portion from one wall leaving the opposing wall free and exposed, said stack being initially provided with an inverted U-shaped retaining member having its vertical legs extended through openings in said flap portions and its horizontal connecting leg bearing agm'nst the top of the stack, the extended ends of said vertical legs being detachably received in openings in said platform, elevating means for urging the platform upwardly, a stop member engageable with said horizontal leg to maintain it) the top of the stack in operative position for withdrawal of successive uppermost bags, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to effect separation of the walls and to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, and means for inserting an article into and beyond its fully seated position in the bag to etiect withdrawal of the bag and tearing of said flap portion from said retaining means, said platform being depressible to receive the stack and its retaining member and upon elevation to present the horizontal leg into engagement with said stop member, said elevating means urging the stack upwardly against said horizontal leg and relative to said vertical legs upon withdrawal of successive bags.

14. In a packaging machine, in combination, means for supporting a stack of fiat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended ilap portions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of the opposing wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter thcrebetween to expand the bag in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, pivotally mounted opposed mouth spreading and article guiding means arranged to be rocked into the mouth of the opened bag, a longitudinally reciprocable inserting member arranged to insert an article between said guide means and into the bag, continued movement of the inserting member effecting withdrawal of the bag from said guiding means and said retaining means, a support spaced from said bag spreading means arranged to receive the withdrawn bag, the space between and below said bag spreading means and said receiving support being open, and an independently operated longitudinally reciprocable tray also extended into the bag and arranged to support the article within the bag as it is withdrawn from said bag spreading means across said open space and deposited on said spaced support by said inserting member.

15. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, means for supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended. flap portion at the mouth of the bag, means cooperating with said extended fiap portions for retaining the stack on said supporting means leaving the edge of the opposing wall free and exposed, means for directing a stream of air against said exposed edge to break the adherence of the upper wall to the lower wall to permit air to enter therebetween to expand the bag. in readiness to receive an article to be packaged, pivotally mounted opposed mouth spreading and article guiding means arranged to be rocked into the mouth of the opened bag, a longitudinally reciprocable inserting member arranged to insert an article between said guide means and into the bag, continued movement of the inserting member eflfecting withdrawal of the bag from said guiding means and said retaining means, a longitudinally reciprocable tray also extended into the bag and arranged to support the article as it is inserted into the bag and during withdrawal of the bag, means for advancing a new article into operative position during one cycle of operation to be engaged by said inserting member during a succeeding cycle of operation, cyclically operated driving means, and control means including means for detecting the presence of an article in operative position to be advanced and adapted to initiate a succeeding cycle of said driving means.

16. In a packaging machine operated in successive cycles, in combination, means for supporting a stack of flat envelope type bags, each having an upper wall and a lower wall, the lower wall being provided with an extended flap portion at the mouth, of the bag, means cooperating 

11. IN A PACKAGING MACHINE, IN COMBINATION, AN ELEVATING PLATFORM FOR REPLACEABLY SUPPORTING A STACK OF FLAT ENVELOPE TYPE BAGS, EACH BAG HAVING AN EXTENDED FLAP PORTION FROM ONE WALL LEAVING THE OPPOSING WALL FREE AND EXPOSED, SAID STACK BEING INITIALLY PROVIDED WITH AN INVERTED U-SHAPED RETAINING MEMBER HAVING ITS VERTICAL LEGS EXTENDING THROUGH OPENINGS IN SAID FLAP PORTIONS AND ITS HORIZONTAL CONNECTING LEG BEARING AGAINST THE TOP OF THE STACK, THE EXTENDED ENDS OF SAID VERTICAL LEGS BEING DETACHABLY RECEIVED IN OPENINGS IN SAID PLATFORM, ELEVATING MEANS FOR URGING THE PLATFORM UPWARDLY, A STOP MEMBER ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID HORIZONTAL LEG TO MAINTAIN THE TOP OF THE STACK IN OPERATIVE POSITION FOR WITHDRAWAL OF SUCCESSIVE UPPERMOST BAGS, MEANS FOR DIRECTING A STREAM OF AIR AGAINST SAID EXPOSED EDGE TO EFFECT SEPARATION OF THE WALLS AND TO EXPAND THE BAG IN READINESS TO RECEIVE AN ARTICLE TO BE PACKAGED, AND MEANS FOR INSERTING AN ARTICLE INTO AND BEYOND ITS FULLY SEATED POSITION IN THE BAG TO EFFECT WITHDRAWAL OF THE BAG AND TEARING OF SAID FLAP PORTION FROM SAID RETAINING MEANS, SAID PLATFORM BEING DEPRESSIBLE TO RECEIVE THE STACK AND ITS RETAINING MEMBER AND UPON ELEVATION TO PRESENT THE HORIZONTALO LEG INTO ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID STOP MEMBER. 